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The West Coast board has unanimously backed Adam Simpson to continue as the Eagles’ coach in 2024 after a meeting on Monday afternoon.
The decision to honour Simpson’s contract, which expires at the end of 2025, was made after weeks of speculation about his future as the Eagles won just three games to finish on the bottom of the ladder.
Adam Simpson will remain as the Eagles’ coach in 2024. Credit: Getty Images
Two well-placed sources who wanted to remain anonymous because they were discussing contractual matters said the club would have faced a payout of $1.6 million if they had sacked Simpson, plus a significant tax for exceeding the football department soft cap which would have occurred had they needed to employ a new coach.
Heading into Monday’s meeting Simpson was known to have the support of board member and former Australian cricketer Justin Langer and two sources with knowledge of the situation said CEO Trevor Nisbett, who was instrumental in extending the 2018 premiership coach’s contract, also thought Simpson should continue as coach.
The club confirmed the decision in a statement, with club president Paul Fitzpatrick stating that Simpson was the person to lead the club through a rebuild.
“At the meeting today the board unanimously agreed that Adam will remain as senior coach,” Fitzpatrick said
“No one knows our playing list better than Adam, and he has already steered us through the first phase of the rebuild. We are confident he can take us forward and take us where we aspire to be.
“Our season came to an end on Saturday night, and we finished at the foot of the premiership table. That does not sit well with anyone at the club, and we are all aware that there is much work to be done to return as a force in the competition.”
Fitzpatrick was at Marvel Stadium when the Eagles caused an upset in round 23 by beating the Bulldogs along with other board members but was tight-lipped about the situation facing the club.
The Eagles were hit hard with injuries to key players, with fitness boss Warren Koefoed departing after the club’s devastating 171-point loss to Sydney in round 15. Nisbett has also said he will not seek to extend his contract beyond 2024.
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